San Workers Union Boosts Top Pay 3.5% Under Re-Opener

The Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association recently joined the ranks of uniformed unions that took advantage of a re-opener clause in a previous contract to increase maximum salary by 3.5 percent, city Labor Relations Commissioner James F. Hanley disclosed last week.

In order to minimize givebacks of the sort that the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association was forced to make under a May arbitration award to gain the same wage increases, USA President Harry Nespoli opted to apply the increase only to the top step on his members' pay scale. Those without the necessary experience to qualify for top pay will take advantage of the increase once they reach that pay step.

The raise is retroactive to March 1, 2007, Mr. Hanley said. As a result of it, combined with other increases due under the current USA contract, top pay will reach $69,339 as of Aug. 21, 2010.